How Travelling Can Transform Your Spiritual Life II

Travelling always brings the best out of us. From awakening that sense of wonder, deepening our sense of wonder, inspiring us to understand creation and the world, it brings us close to our inner selves ~ spirit within us. It brings us closer to our Creator. Because it is when we experience and see, we understand there is much more to this world. Here is how travelling can help our spiritual growth:

1. Travelling and Exposure

Travelling exposes us to cultures, people, and the environment we find and seek more than we see, inspiring us to reflect on our beliefs and values.

• Example: Visit a new country, exposing oneself to people of the same faith but different traditions. This helps us understand if the way we live is all about faith or the systems we have created ourselves.
• Bible Verse: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). This helps us understand more on culture and faith.

2. Connection with Nature

We travel to destinations that offer the chance to connect with nature in a deep and meaningful way. With a sense of wonder, we want to experience that freshness in seasons, air and being, bringing calmness to who we are. Some choose hiking, walking through a dense forest, or relaxing by the ocean, nature has a way of grounding us and reminding us of the larger universe we are part of. This connection can be incredibly healing and can foster a sense of peace and calmness.

• Example: Going on a safari in the African savanna, experiencing the Great Migration in the Serengeti or just viewing that Ngorongoro Crater is all you need to know there is God who made the heavens and the earth in a not-so-complicated way. So, travel and see the world, nature always testifies to WHO God is. Open your eyes and see. How “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1) It is in that assurance of WHO He is, that we find peace, He gives us peace.

3. Travelling helps Being Mindful and Present

Travelling requires us to be present and mindful of our surroundings. The newness of the environment heightens our senses and encourages us to live in the moment. This mindfulness can be a powerful spiritual practice, helping us to appreciate life.

As much as it is the attractions we visit, the process itself makes us stay grounded in the reality of the present, building faith, hope and trust in every step we take. With that we learn how to live in the present and just like Maya Angelou said… we can always learn to “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”

• Remember: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34). It is when you get or push out of your comfort zones (travelling), that you find a reason to believe in steps, the present.

4. Overcoming Challenges

Travel often involves overcoming challenges and stepping out of our comfort zones. Whether it’s working on the papers, getting through a foreign city, communicating in a different language, or dealing with unexpected obstacles, these experiences help us build inner strength. With little prayers said from time to time, we learn to trust in Christ, leading to personal growth and a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Solo travelling pushes us to rely on our inner power and resources and can lead to profound self-discovery. And with inner strength we live to experience that “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

• And of course: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)~ favourite of all times

5. Building Connections when Travelling

Travelling provides opportunities to meet new people and build meaningful connections. These encounters can be spiritually enriching allowing us to share stories and testimonials, learn from each other, and foster a sense of faith community. These connections remind us of the common humanity that binds us all.

Going to new places, finding new places of worship and forming new relations, help us become, practice our faith and live our values.

• Bible Verse: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2)

6. Use travelling as a Time for Reflection

Being away from what we are used to, gives us the space to reflect on our lives. Travelling offers a break from the usual helping us gain clarity on our plans, visions, goals, aspirations, and what truly matters to us. Because, It is when we are still, we know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)

• Go on a retreat from time to time. Go to new places with nature and that sense of community. Experience life in the village~ will be reminded of how beautiful life is and how to live it to the fullest. Always be reminded of that.

7. Inspiration and Creativity

Travelling can spark our creativity and inspire us in ways we never imagined. Experiencing new sights, sounds, and cultures can stimulate our minds and souls, leading to moments of inspiration and creative expression. This inspiration can be a source of spiritual joy and fulfilment.

Artists, writers, and musicians often travel to find inspiration for their work, discovering new muses and perspectives that fuel their creative processes. That spark to create can be highlighted when we are secluded from all the struggles we face in life.

• It is when we spend time with Him, away from what we know that we learn to see what is real. And with our imagination plus His Life bringing breath, we see the works we do into fruition. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10). We have all the reason to see and observe creation closer and away. And yes, we have all the reasons for us to become the best we are through talents, gifts and skills given and shared through us.

Conclusion

Travelling can transform our spiritual lives, opening our minds, connecting us with nature and others, and providing opportunities for reflection and personal growth. Whether through experiencing different cultures, overcoming challenges, or simply being present at the moment, travel can be a powerful journey towards spiritual enlightenment and fulfilment. We meet different people that we also learn or share this journey with testimonies to WHO God is and how faithful He has been to us. So pack your bags, open your heart, and set out on a journey that could change your life in the most profound ways.

It is time to plan your next destination and be on it. Go see, go learn.